🥊 The UFC Info and Prediction Thread

[TopTort777]

Almeida screwed many bets last weekend Kuniev is still a mystery to me. Why he is getting top opponents. What is next for him as he is #6 now? Pavlovich who we havent seen long time ago? Or Volkov who seems to never fight for belt? Rematch with Blaydes? Acosta just fought recently. Gane and Aspinall probably will have a rematch...One day lol I feel like UFC are giving Kuniev a huuuuuuuuge discount. If he did not know his next opponent, UFC might not sing new contract with him. One loss (split), UD against Almaida who originally seem to be LH (and was even a welterweight). One more average fight and bye-bye UFC.

[tokeweed]

^  He'll prolly get matched up with another prospect.  He is def not ready to fight anyone in the top 5.  Lol.  Tallison Texeira or Valter Walker would prolly be next for him in a main event 5 rounder Fight Night.

Anyway, here's the promo vid for the next event.

UFC Houston:  Strickland vs Hernandez - February 21st Fight Promo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bahoP2I_yRA

And it's now confirmed...  Dana White doesn't handle any day to day business in the UFC anymore.  All that is done by Hunter Campbell the supposedly 'UFC lawyer'.  He's really the real boss. 

[Pumared]

Almeida screwed many bets last weekend Kuniev is still a mystery to me. Why he is getting top opponents. What is next for him as he is #6 now? Pavlovich who we havent seen long time ago? Or Volkov who seems to never fight for belt? Rematch with Blaydes? Acosta just fought recently. Gane and Aspinall probably will have a rematch...One day lol I feel like UFC are giving Kuniev a huuuuuuuuge discount. If he did not know his next opponent, UFC might not sing new contract with him. One loss (split), UD against Almaida who originally seem to be LH (and was even a welterweight). One more average fight and bye-bye UFC.

I think this fight wasn't for Kuniev, but rather a justification for the UFC to give Almeida a title fight. They always do this, they put in a newcomer or test the big names to see their level and whether it's worth setting up a title fight. Almeida misses another opportunity.

[TopTort777]

Its funny to see a guy with 1-1 record on #6 of heavyweight And this guy is not a Brock Lesnar or any other already formed star

Just noticed Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy on March 21 at UFC FN 270. If Evloev wins, it would be his 10th straight win by UD You what is funny, I have seen in media that victory is again not going to guarantee Evloev a title fight I think until he makes a finish in his UFC career, UFC will hold him from title.

[pawel7777]

Almeida screwed many bets last weekend Kuniev is still a mystery to me. Why he is getting top opponents. What is next for him as he is #6 now? Pavlovich who we havent seen long time ago? Or Volkov who seems to never fight for belt? Rematch with Blaydes? Acosta just fought recently. Gane and Aspinall probably will have a rematch...One day lol I feel like UFC are giving Kuniev a huuuuuuuuge discount. If he did not know his next opponent, UFC might not sing new contract with him. One loss (split), UD against Almaida who originally seem to be LH (and was even a welterweight). One more average fight and bye-bye UFC.

I'd say the UFC is desperate to make the heavyweight exciting (not to say "great again"), so no wonder they are looking for some fresh blood, ideally someone who could dominate and finish fights. I'm not sure if Kuniev is the right guy and whether he deserves a fast-track treatment, but he only lost once (to Blaydes) in the last decade and it was a split-decision loss. So yeah, a rematch wouldn't be bad.

As for Almeida, I hear he's moving back to light heavyweight. I think it's a good move. He's a bit too small for a heavyweight and that's a problem if his strongest trait is grappling/submissions. It's pretty hard and physically draining to take down an opponent much heavier than you.

[bbc.reporter]

@rdbase. Similar to the underestimated Justin Gaethje, Sean Strickland is also a former champion who might also be underestimated for this fight. I will certainly not bet against Sean who is the UFC's king of strikes defense that he has learned from dodging all of the punches from his father when he was a young boy. This is a skill that he has learned under very traumatic occurrences and he has become the best MMA expert in defense because of this. My prediction will be Sean Strickland will have the victory through a decision.

Can't say this is a joke but I'd laugh anyway. He is now a dodge expert  thanks to his father who traumatized him. Way to go Sean.  Sure I agree Sean has the chance in this fight. Its hard to see him becoming a champ again, that was just one time.

This is not a joke. If you have witnessed Sean fight the former champion and the expert on striking Izzy Adesanya, you would understand. Also, did you see Sean cry when Dricus mentioned that Sean will be reminded of his father when they will fight? It appears that you do not understand because you did not witness this also.

[TopTort777]

Almeida screwed many bets last weekend Kuniev is still a mystery to me. Why he is getting top opponents. What is next for him as he is #6 now? Pavlovich who we havent seen long time ago? Or Volkov who seems to never fight for belt? Rematch with Blaydes? Acosta just fought recently. Gane and Aspinall probably will have a rematch...One day lol I feel like UFC are giving Kuniev a huuuuuuuuge discount. If he did not know his next opponent, UFC might not sing new contract with him. One loss (split), UD against Almaida who originally seem to be LH (and was even a welterweight). One more average fight and bye-bye UFC.

I'd say the UFC is desperate to make the heavyweight exciting (not to say "great again"), so no wonder they are looking for some fresh blood, ideally someone who could dominate and finish fights. I'm not sure if Kuniev is the right guy and whether he deserves a fast-track treatment, but he only lost once (to Blaydes) in the last decade and it was a split-decision loss. So yeah, a rematch wouldn't be bad.

As for Almeida, I hear he's moving back to light heavyweight. I think it's a good move. He's a bit too small for a heavyweight and that's a problem if his strongest trait is grappling/submissions. It's pretty hard and physically draining to take down an opponent much heavier than you.

I have said before that UFC heavyweight division is broken. First Bones held belt for years and whole division was on a pause (means champion did not change or even defend his belt). Now Aspinall is pausing belt for unknown period (btw I saw an update today on his eye injury, he had surgery on both eyes). Since Ngannou, and that was in 2021, there wasnt a really much of a challenge in heavyweight division for title. Fighters compete, but they never know for what for, because it is unclear when champion be ready to defend belt.

[rdbase]

@rdbase. Similar to the underestimated Justin Gaethje, Sean Strickland is also a former champion who might also be underestimated for this fight. I will certainly not bet against Sean who is the UFC's king of strikes defense that he has learned from dodging all of the punches from his father when he was a young boy. This is a skill that he has learned under very traumatic occurrences and he has become the best MMA expert in defense because of this. My prediction will be Sean Strickland will have the victory through a decision.

Now that you mention it the UFC is becoming like the WWE with their storylines and that story could pass Strickland off for being a wrestler in that company if he gets cut from the UFC anytime soon.
But then again, they could be building him up so to be on the fightcard for the White house event. Who really knows with these two companies now mirroring themselves in under the TKO umbrella anyways.
The UFC has become filled with strange stories lately from Topuria to Jones instead of just the fights anymore.

[Pumared]

Almeida screwed many bets last weekend Kuniev is still a mystery to me. Why he is getting top opponents. What is next for him as he is #6 now? Pavlovich who we havent seen long time ago? Or Volkov who seems to never fight for belt? Rematch with Blaydes? Acosta just fought recently. Gane and Aspinall probably will have a rematch...One day lol I feel like UFC are giving Kuniev a huuuuuuuuge discount. If he did not know his next opponent, UFC might not sing new contract with him. One loss (split), UD against Almaida who originally seem to be LH (and was even a welterweight). One more average fight and bye-bye UFC.

I'd say the UFC is desperate to make the heavyweight exciting (not to say "great again"), so no wonder they are looking for some fresh blood, ideally someone who could dominate and finish fights. I'm not sure if Kuniev is the right guy and whether he deserves a fast-track treatment, but he only lost once (to Blaydes) in the last decade and it was a split-decision loss. So yeah, a rematch wouldn't be bad.

As for Almeida, I hear he's moving back to light heavyweight. I think it's a good move. He's a bit too small for a heavyweight and that's a problem if his strongest trait is grappling/submissions. It's pretty hard and physically draining to take down an opponent much heavier than you.

I believe Almeida would be much better utilized in a weight class below heavyweight. He's good, he can tire these guys out, but I don't think he's suited for this weight class, and his fighting style sometimes isn't good against them.

[bbc.reporter]

@rdbase. Similar to the underestimated Justin Gaethje, Sean Strickland is also a former champion who might also be underestimated for this fight. I will certainly not bet against Sean who is the UFC's king of strikes defense that he has learned from dodging all of the punches from his father when he was a young boy. This is a skill that he has learned under very traumatic occurrences and he has become the best MMA expert in defense because of this. My prediction will be Sean Strickland will have the victory through a decision.

Now that you mention it the UFC is becoming like the WWE with their storylines and that story could pass Strickland off for being a wrestler in that company if he gets cut from the UFC anytime soon.
But then again, they could be building him up so to be on the fightcard for the White house event. Who really knows with these two companies now mirroring themselves in under the TKO umbrella anyways.
The UFC has become filled with strange stories lately from Topuria to Jones instead of just the fights anymore.

I very much agree. The storyline for this fight is the underdog will win. The UFC has chosen which type of underdog they have chosen against Fluffy because if Sean is the winner, he would be a very good fighter to include in the card for the White House hehehehe.

Sean is a type of white person who can certainly be a Trump supporter heheheeh. Is there a Russian or Chinese fighter in the middleweight division that can be Sean's opponent? Uncle Dana will certainly create a political storyline for this.

[TopTort777]

A person who is going to crack secret of Rizvan Kuniev will get merits from me

After taking fight on a short notice and losing to Kuniev, Jailton Almeida yesterday was removed from UFC. On Saturday he was #6, few days later he is unemployed. Almeida had positive 8-3 record, was forced by UFC to move to heavyweight division. Is this new Paramount+ politics in UFC?

[tokeweed]

^  Yup that partly could be it.  And I think it also has something to do with the ratings in heavyweight.  Aside from Tom Aspinall and Pavlovich, all these other fighters don't really pique the fans' interest anymore. So as a business yeah...  Cut some fighters off and reshuffle the weight class.

Anyway, you guys have some picks for the next event? 

[Pumared]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

[pawel7777]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Damn, looks like this is true as the media started to report on it:
https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/471537/jailton-almeida-released-from-contract-after-ufc-vegas-113-loss
I guess he's not going back down to the light heavyweight then.

Did Dana White really say that though? It doesn't make much sense in Almeida's case. He literally only had one win by decision on his record. The rest were submissions (13) and KOs (, so it's not like he was a passive fighter with no game plan other than winning by ground control.

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

No. Islam is entertaining and people want to see him fight. That's the bottom line.
But yeah, Islam's decision wins ratio is much higher than Almeida's.

[TopTort777]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

Now a lot of wrestlers tensed up and went training striking I dont think that applies to Islam, after all status of a champ and top p4p allows to lie on top and do nothing I am kidding, in last fight against JDM Islam showed good striking, fight wasnt boring (or not as boring as some big recent fights).

If I was in charge, I would warn and then release heavyweight that dont finish fights early You are a heavyweight, people expect you to destroy opponent. Your sneeze can KO a flyweight. So please be so kind, go and dont come back if you win by UD.

[tokeweed]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

Dana White's opinion or whatever he's says about who or what doesn't really matter now.  He was invited to be asked questions about the UFC in a anti trust case against the company.  And Dana said that he isn't directly involved in the day to day business and match making operations in the company anymore.  Everything in the company goes thru Hunter Campbell...  He's the real boss of the UFC.  Dana is just a kind of figure head or the 'face' of the company.  Fighter contracts, match making, business and legal stuff that goes thru Campbell, Maynard and Shelby.

[Pumared]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

Dana White's opinion or whatever he's says about who or what doesn't really matter now.  He was invited to be asked questions about the UFC in a anti trust case against the company.  And Dana said that he isn't directly involved in the day to day business and match making operations in the company anymore.  Everything in the company goes thru Hunter Campbell...  He's the real boss of the UFC.  Dana is just a kind of figure head or the 'face' of the company.  Fighter contracts, match making, business and legal stuff that goes thru Campbell, Maynard and Shelby.

He may say that, but he's the main fight announcer for the UFC. Even the official Instagram profile always says that the big fight announcements are made live on his profile. So, he may have said that, but he's still a reference point when it comes to fight announcements. And he's the one who stands in front of the Octagon when there are big fights.

[pawel7777]

I really don't like where things are going.
I understand this is an entertainment business, and in order to make money, the UFC has to appeal to tiktok-brained audience, who need a constant action and dopamine rush (otherwise they will reach for their smartphones to scroll for junk content), but how far can they take this?
If the sport element is pushed to the background and entertainment is the priority, then what's stopping them from making scripted fights full of eye-catching, spectacular moves etc just to keep the crowd happy? Throw in some fake personal beefs and we will end up with a more sophisticated version of WWE.

[tokeweed]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."

Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

Dana White's opinion or whatever he's says about who or what doesn't really matter now.  He was invited to be asked questions about the UFC in a anti trust case against the company.  And Dana said that he isn't directly involved in the day to day business and match making operations in the company anymore.  Everything in the company goes thru Hunter Campbell...  He's the real boss of the UFC.  Dana is just a kind of figure head or the 'face' of the company.  Fighter contracts, match making, business and legal stuff that goes thru Campbell, Maynard and Shelby.

He may say that, but he's the main fight announcer for the UFC. Even the official Instagram profile always says that the big fight announcements are made live on his profile. So, he may have said that, but he's still a reference point when it comes to fight announcements. And he's the one who stands in front of the Octagon when there are big fights.

Did you even read what I said.  Lol.  He doesn't make any important decisions in the business side of things in the UFC and he also isn't in the loop when it comes to match making.  All he does is be the face of the UFC and the promotional stuff.  He prolly could suggest some stuff in there but he doesn't have final say.

Anyway yeah...  Whoever decided to cut Almeida, pretty sure it wasn't Dana White's call.

[Hanadawa]

I just saw that Almeida was fired from the UFC, according to a Brazilian journalist, after two consecutive losses. But apparently that wasn't the only reason for his dismissal. Dana White had commented that "You can't win a fight just by lying on top of someone. That's not how it works."
Will that also apply to Islam? One of the guys who did that the most in his fights. And what will be the new strategy for these fighters who only do that?

Although Islam often plays on the ground, he also possesses excellent striking. I don't think Uncle Dana likes the type of fighter who only hugs and looks for points. I think an example is the Kamaru Usman vs. Masvidal fight at UFC 251. It was a fight dominated by hugging and stomping. Some people said the fight was quite boring. But as I recall, it was Usman vs. Burns, but Burns withdrew. Masvidal only had a week to prepare. On the other hand, Kamaru Usman also only had a week to prepare because fighting a different fighter means a different strategy and game plan.

As for Islam Makhacev, I think what makes him interesting is that besides his excellent striking, Islam also uses his wrestling to dominate his opponents and aim for the finish on the ground. He doesn't just hug, but dominates with ground and pound or attempts to land submissions. So far, none of Islam's fights have been boring. Almeida has a good finishing record in the UFC. I wonder if three losses in his last five fights were the main reason the UFC released him? As far as I can remember, it's very rare for the UFC to release a highly ranked fighter unless it's a trade with another promoter. Is it because Almeida lacks the character or star appeal?